Marketing Tips for Home Sellers

GETTING HELP

To identify the home components that are most in need of repair, many
sellers now obtain pre-listing inspections before putting up the "For
Sale" sign. The person best qualified to do this is an experienced
professional home inspector.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the leading international
professional organization of independent home inspectors, is the recognized
authority in this field. ASHI sets the highest standard of professional
performance, and qualifies its members through examination of their technical
knowledge and home inspection experience.

In addition, home inspectors who have been admitted to ASHI agree to
adhere to a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits them from engaging in
any conflict of interest activities which might compromise their objectivity.
This is your assurance that the inspector will not, for example, use the
inspection to solicit repair work for himself or any particular contractor.

A HOME SELLER'S CHECKLIST

Over the years, ASHI\'ae has identified a list of common problems that
typically appear on buyers' home inspection reports. Early correction of
these problems can increase a home's appeal and its selling price. It
also sets the stage for a favorable home inspection report for the buyer,
and thereby helps to expedite the sale.

The following 6-point checklist can help you achieve these marketing
goals.

CHECK THE MAJOR SYSTEMS

After size, style, and location, a home buyer's primary concern is the
condition of the home's basic structure and major mechanical systems. Most
buyers do not want to invest a great deal of money correcting problems
in such critical areas.

A pre-listing home inspection of the visible and accessible home components
can reveal most of these problems, and include recommended repairs, if
needed, on the following major items:

roof structure and covering

foundation, basement, and/or crawl space

central heating and air conditioning systems

electrical system

plumbing system

MAKE MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS

A number of maintenance improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive
to make, yet they can substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency,
and comfort.

A professional home inspector may make helpful maintenance suggestions,
such as:

trim trees and shrubs which touch or overhang the house;

apply new caulking and weatherstripping as needed around windows
and doors;

clean gutters of debris and leaves; repair or replace cracked or
broken gutters, downspouts, and extensions to ensure proper drainage;

replace bathroom caulk or grouting where necessary to prevent seepage
and improve appearance;

regrade soil around the foundation, as needed, to keep water away
from the house;

replace dirty filters in the heating and air conditioning systems;

have the heating and air conditioning systems professionally serviced;

have chimneys professionally cleaned, and install chimney hoods
or caps as needed.

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Fixing even minor items can go a long way toward improving that important
first impression of your home. Here are some typical improvements which
might be suggested by the home inspector's findings:

repair leaky faucets;

tighten loose doorknobs;

replace damaged screens;

replace broken panes of glass;

replace burned out light bulbs;

secure loose railings;

repair and coat driveway;

patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings, then repaint;

repair peeling wallpaper.

TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Home inspectors also pay attention to items relating to protecting the
home and its occupants from danger. They can alert you to important safety
precautions which home buyers will appreciate, such as:

keeping flammable products away from heaters, water heaters, and
fireplaces.

MAKE COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS

An attractive, clean, and neat home will appeal to a buyer's emotions.
In addition to making repairs such as those listed above, remember to

keep the lawn mowed and the house neat;

clean the exterior walls and trim; repaint if necessary;

open windows shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere;

keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, since buyers scrutinize these
areas.

PREPARE FOR THE BUYER'S INSPECTION

It's a good idea to assemble in advance various house records that can
be used to answer questions from buyers and home inspectors. Specifically,
you should have on hand:

appliance receipts, service records, and warranties;

information on the age of major components, such as the heater,
air conditioner and roof;

major component warranties (e.g. carpeting, siding, roof shingles);

heating, water, and electric bills from the previous year.

In addition, keep areas clear to give buyers and home inspectors
access to the garage, heating system, and electrical equipment.

ABOUT ASHI

The American Society of Home Inspectors was founded in 1976 to uphold
professionalism among home inspectors and to develop formal inspection
guidelines, the ASHI Standards of Practice, and a Code of Ethics for consumer
protection.

IS YOUR HOME PHYSICALLY FIT?

To give your home a competitive edge when it's time to sell, make sure
it is in good physical condition.

This not only makes your home more attractive and desirable, it also
simplifies the negotiation process when the time comes for the Buyer's
pre-purchase inspection.

{According to home inspection experts, approximately half the resale
homes on the market today have at least one significant defect. Routine
maintenance is the best way to prevent major, costly problems from developing
in the first place. If you have been putting off those repairs, now is
the time to make them